The State government will consider to provide reservation to the differently-abled children in the government as well as in private sector as per their abilities, stated Chief Minister Shri Virbhadra Singh while presiding over the State level World Disability Day here today.
He said that it was the responsibility of the government to ensure better future to specially abled children. However, the society and Non-Government Organisations (NGO’s) should also come forward to extend helping hand and ensure their rehabilitation, recreation, social security besides tertiary and technical education and skill development so that they might be able to create opportunity of self- employment for them.
He assured that the State government would fully support the NGO’s working dedicatedly in service of such persons and ensure their well being and education and make them capable of being self employable.
The Chief Minister said that more institutions and schools for specially abled children would be opened in the State and the government would ensure that trained teachers be posted in such schools.
“I want that persons with disability may enjoy equal opportunities for growth and development and access the facilities to lead productive, safe and dignified life”, said Shri Virbhadra Singh.
He said that none of the specially abled children should be bereft of education and training.
The Chief Minister honoured the children who took part in various cultural activities and appreciated the hoteliers for providing employment to specially abled children. He also lauded the efforts of Rotary Club, the State Red Cross Society and the NGO’s who have come forward to extend helping hand to such children.
Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Dr. (Col.) Dhani Ram Shandil detailed about the welfare schemes being implemented for children with disabilities. He said that at present 26076 persons in state were visually impaired, 34978 deaf and dumb, 32550 persons not able to walk properly, 8986 mentally retarded and 52726 suffering with other disabilities. He said that those having disability upto 40 percent or more than this were being issued disability certificates by the department so that they could utilize the facilities being provided by the government.
Earlier Secretary, Social Justice and Empowerment Smt. Anuradha Thakur said that the department was providing free of cost vocational training in selected ITI’s to the physically disabled persons. She said that all the temple trusts under control of the government had been asked to identify and recruit atleast 3 per cent of such people. As many as 48 special boys and girls had being recruited in hospitality sector in various hotels in Shimla and Kullu districts and in next phase visually impaired, orthopedically and mentally retarded persons would be placed in jobs suitable to them.
Chief Parliamentary Secretary Shri Nand Lal, Chairperson Commission for Protection of Child Rights Smt. Kiran Dhanta, General Secretary Child Welfare Board Smt. Raj Kumari Soni, Vice President HPCC Shri Kehar Singh Khachi, Director Social Justice and Empowerment Shri Sandeep Bhatnagar were also present on the occasion amongst others.
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